Touch-screen applications for outpatient process automation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for HIPAA compliant outpatient process automation is provided. The method includes prompting a user to select at least one anonymous or patient specific application. If the user selects an anonymous application, the method includes receiving from the user anonymous query information and matching the anonymous query information to anonymous information stored in a database, and thereafter displaying guidance based upon the matched anonymous information. If the user selects a patient specific application, the method includes receiving from the user patient specific query information and matching the patient specific query information to patient specific information stored in a database, and thereafter displaying guidance based upon the matched patient specific information. The patient specific information may include a medical record information application, an appointment information application, a questionnaire and survey information application, an education information application, a symptom information application, and a risk assessment information application.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for outpatient process automation, said method comprising: 
 prompting a user to select at least one anonymous or patient specific application;    if the user selects said anonymous application, receiving from the user anonymous query information, matching said anonymous query information to anonymous information stored in a database, and displaying guidance based upon said matched anonymous information; and    if the user selects said patient specific application, receiving from the user patient specific query information, matching said patient specific query information to patient specific information stored in a database, and displaying guidance based upon said matched patient specific information,    wherein user access to said patient specific application being controlled by a secure log-in process.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said anonymous application including at least one of way-finding information, general healthcare provider information, eligibility and benefits information, and staff directory information for healthcare providers.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said secure log-in process for access to said patient specific application comprising: 
 prompting the user to log-on by entering a social security number by either touching a displayed number pad or sliding an identification card through an attached card reader, and prompting the user to enter a password;    if said log-in being successful, providing the user access to said patient specific application; and    if said log-in being unsuccessful, assisting the user to obtain access to said patient specific application.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said assisting including: 
 verifying that a system for implementing said method being operational;    if said system being operational and the user is a registered user, determining whether the user password and identification card are operational, if not, then assisting the user to obtain a new password or identification card, if so, then releasing requested information to the user;    if said system being operational and the user is a non-registered user, assisting the user to log-in and register into said system by means of the social security number; and    if said system being non-operational, moving the user to another system for implementing said method.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said providing including: 
 controlling release of patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations by requiring the user to authorize display of patient specific application data through a signed release of information (ROI).    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said providing including; 
 prompting the user to select at least one of a medical record information application, an appointment information application, a questionnaire and survey information application, an education information application, a symptom information application, and a risk assessment information application.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said medical record information application including at least one of a problem list with links to education material, medication list with links to education material, recent laboratory results with links to education material, pending orders with links to preparation material, and means for enabling a user to order medication refills.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said appointment information application enabling the user to at least one of look up and change future appointments for a healthcare provider.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said questionnaire and survey information application enabling the user to at least one of answer and enter data directly into said system, enabling means testing and enabling measurement of healthcare effectiveness.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said education information application enabling the user to obtain information on at least one of medical conditions and general medical information.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said symptom information application enabling the user access to software that provides symptom triaging.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said risk assessment information application enabling the user access to health-screening tools.  
     
     
         13 . A system for outpatient process automation, said system comprising: 
 means for prompting a user to select at least one anonymous or patient specific application;    means for selecting said anonymous application;    means for selecting said patient specific application; and    means for controlling access to said patient specific application by a secure log-in process,    wherein, for said anonymous application, said system receiving from the user anonymous query information, matching said anonymous query information to anonymous information stored in a database, and displaying guidance based upon said matched anonymous information, and for said patient specific application, said system receiving from the user patient specific query information, matching said patient specific query information to patient specific information stored in a database, and displaying guidance based upon said matched patient specific information.    
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein said anonymous application including at least one of way-finding information, general healthcare provider information, eligibility and benefits information, and staff directory information for healthcare providers.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein said secure log-in process for access to said patient specific application comprising: 
 means for prompting the user to log-on by entering a social security number by either touching a displayed number pad or sliding an identification card through an attached card reader, and means for prompting the user to enter a password;    if said log-in being successful, means for providing the user access to said patient specific application; and    if said log-in being unsuccessful, means for assisting the user to obtain access to said patient specific application.    
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein said means for assisting including: 
 means for verifying that said system being operational;    if said system being operational and the user is a registered user, means for determining whether the user password and identification card are operational, if not, then assisting the user to obtain a new password or identification card, if so, then releasing requested information to the user;    if said system being operational and the user is a non-registered user, means for assisting the user to log-in and register into said system by means of the social security number; and    if said system being non-operational, means for moving the user to another system for implementing said method.    
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein said means for providing including: 
 means for controlling release of patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations by requiring the user to authorize display of patient specific application data through a signed release of information (ROI).    
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein said means for providing including; 
 means for prompting the user to select at least one of a medical record information application, an appointment information application, a questionnaire and survey information application, an education information application, a symptom information application, and a risk assessment information application.    
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said medical record information application including at least one of a problem list with links to education material, medication list with links to education material, recent laboratory results with links to education material, pending orders with links to preparation material, and means for enabling a user to order medication refills.  
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said appointment information application enabling the user to at least one of look up and change future appointments for a healthcare provider.